Portable snow melting and snow disposal unit



United States Patent M 3,155,089 PORTABLE SNQW NELTiNG AND SNG DESPOSALUNIT William H. Hoyt, 193 Ivy St., Oyster Bay, N.Y. Filed Feb. 8, 1962,Ser. No. 171,983 6 Qiaims. (Cl. 126343.5)

My invention is directed towards apparatus for melting snow anddisposing of the water so formed.

I have invented a new type of apparatus for quickly disposing of largeaccumulations of snow removed from congested city areas, airfields, mainhighways and the like by melting the snow and disposing of the water soformed by discharging it into a storm drain or sewer, thus eliminatingthe much more expensive and time consuming process of plowing the snowinto large piles, transferring the snow thus piled into trucks, cartingthe loaded snow away, and disposing of the carted snow at lowtemperatures.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide new and improvedsnow melting and disposing apparatus of the type indicated above.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wheeled, self poweredvehicle for melting snow and disposing of the water so formed wherein anelectrically operated oil burner supplies the necessary heat to melt thesnow, and an electrically operated water pump discharges the waterformed from melted snow into a storm drain or sewer.

Another object of my invention is to provide a wheeled self poweredvehicle for melting snow and disposing of the water so formed, whereinthe oil burner and water pump are automatically started and stoppedaccording to a set variation in temperature of the water entering thepump.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a wheeled selfpowered vehicle for melting snow wherein heat is ahtracted from thedisposed of water whereby it is caused to melt snow before disposal andto be discharged to a storm drain or sewer at a reduced temperature,thus decreasing operating cost by saving fuel.

These and other objects of my invention will either be explained orbecome apparent hereinafter.

My invention contemplates a vertical tank having a hinged top cover. Ifurther provide a hot water boiler positioned below the tank, the bottomof the tank serving as the top of the boiler.- The bottom of the tank isperforated above the water space of the boiler.

A rectangular cooling trough is provided near the top of the tank andextends around the inner periphery of the tank. The water to be disposedof passes through the discharge pipe, which is contained in the coolingtrough.

An electrically operated oil burner unit heats the water in the boiler,the electricity being supplied from an auxiliary gasoline engine poweredalternating current generator.

A water pump electrically operated is attached to the boiler, creates asuction at the bottom of the boiler and causes water from the tank to bedrawn through the perforated tank bottom into the boiler wherein thetemperature of the water is increased before the Water enters the waterpump. A portion of the hot water discharged from the water pump isrecirculated to the tank, and the remaining portion is discharged to astorm drain or sewer.

A set variation in temperature of water entering the pump actuates theswitches of aquastats attached to the side of the boiler. These switchesare in the electrical circuits of oil burner and water pump and causethem to start and stop automatically as required to maintain boilerwater temperature between set limits.

When the apparatus is made operable by filling with fresh water to alevel above the bottom of the tank, and

3,155,089 Patented Nov. 3, 1964 this water heated to operatingtemperature, snow is placed in the open top of the tank. A portion ofthe snow falls into the cooling trough, is melted by contact with thehot discharge water pipe, and overflows into the tank.

The remainder of the snow falls into the hot water in the bottom of thetank and is sprayed from above by hot water recirculated by the waterpump, as the snow melts the water so formed accumulates in the bottom ofthe tank and is drawn through the perforated tank bottom into andthrough the boiler by the suction of the water pump, a portion of thehot water is discharged from the water pump is returned to the tank asspray water. The remainder of the hot water is disposed of and passesthrough the discharge water pipe contained in the cooling trough,transmits heat through the metal of the discharge water pipe to the snowin the trough causing the snow to melt, the heat given up by thedisposed of water in melting snow in the trough causes the temperatureof the water to be reduced before it is discharged to a storm drain orsewer.

The invention itself and the manner of its organization can be betterunderstood by referring to the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of apparatus in accordance with my invention.

FIGURE 2 is an elevation view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of the apparatus taken along the line3-3 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an electrical diagram showing the electricalinterconnections of various elements in the apparatus of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, a rectangular tank 10 is positionedon top of a rectangular horizontal return tubular boiler 12. The tank 10is formed by extending the front, rear and side plates of the boiler,the tank bottom 14 serves as the top of the boiler, and is perforatedabove the water space of the boiler so that water from the tank canenter the boiler.

These perforations 16 expose the boiler water to the atmosphere, andlimit boiler pressure and temperature to 14.7 pounds per square inch and212 F. respectively. Because of this pressure limitation lightermaterial may be used in construction of boiler and tank with acorresponding reduction in weight.

The perforations 16 may take the form of slots to prevent debris such assticks and stones from entering the boiler, but not interfering with theflow of water thereto.

A cooling trough 48 extends around the inner periphery of and near thetop of the tank, this trough is rectangular in cross-section and thereare overflow openings 49 on the inner sides of the trough.

The discharge water pipe 46 connects to control valve 47, enters thetrough 48, extends around the interior of trough 48 in the form of acoil, and its discharge end 5%) projects from the side of the tank.

Two angle members 44 are attached to the top of the tank and extendlengthwise across it. The angle members are arranged in the form of aninverted V. Their purpose is to distribute snow entering the tank, andto protect spray pipes 42 from impact damage.

Two spray pipes 42 extend lengthwise within the tank, beneath anglemembers 44. They are connected by header 36 to spray water valve it).The free end of each spray pipe is capped and that portion of each pipeextending within the tank from the side of the cooling trough to thecapped end has numerous holes in its bottom part, so arranged that theyare capable of directing a uniform and evenly distributed spray of waterin a downward direction over the interior of the tank.

An electrically operated water pump 34 is attached to (.1! the boiler atthe suction end by pipe 32, and on thedischarge end is attached to sprayand discharge water pipes. A drain valve 35 is attached to the base ofthe pump.

An electrically operated oil burner unit 20 is attached to the fire boxof the boiler, it is of the type suitable for automatic operation and iscomprised of oil pump, fan, ignition set and nozzle. Tank 18 suppliesoil to the burner unit.

A gasoline engine driven alternating current generator 56 supplieselectrical power. The gasoline engine speed is governor controlled. Tank58 supplies gasoline to the engine.

The whole arrangement is mounted on a truck frame 52 having wheels 54.

The electric circuit is shown diagramamticaily in FIG- URE 4. Switch 65)is a manually operated on-otl-switch. The switch 62 is a minimum waterlevel contact switch, which opens when the level of water in the tankfalls below a selected minimum level, and stops burner and pump motors.It is comprised of a float and bell crank lever located in the tank witha suitable screen covering to prevent contact with snow. The bell cranklever shaft protrudes through a gland in the side of the tank, to theend of which shaft is attached a water level indicator and the contactswitch 62.

The switches 64 and 68 are temperature actuated aquastat switches whichcan be adjusted to operate at a set value of water temperature. Theirsensing bulbs are immersed in the side of the boiler in the path ofwater entering the pump.

The switch 64 opens and stops pump 34 when the water temperature fallsbelow a set value, and will close and start the pump when the watertemperature rises above the set value.

The switch 68 will close and start the oil burner unit when the watertemperature falls below a set value, and will open and stop the oilburner when the water temperature rises above the set value.

Switch 66 is a stack relay switch, essential to automatic operation ofoil burner unit 20, with its temperature sensing element immersed in theflue 30. Switch 65 will open and shut oft oil burner unit 29 if ignitionis delayed beyond a safe time limit.

When the apparatus is to be placed in operation, gasoline from tank 58is used to operate gasoline engine driven alternating current generator56.

With pump and tank valves closed, fresh water is added to tank to fillboiler 12 and bring the water level in tank 10 above the minimum level,as shown by the level indicator on the external shaft end of floatoperated switch 62, and cause switch 62 to close.

Aquastat switch 68 will be closed and aquastat switch 64 will be openbecause of the relatively low temperature of the added water, and whenswitch 60 is closed, an electric current from generator 56 will flowthrough switch 64), through switch 62, through a closed stack relayswitch 66, through switch 63 and start oil burner unit 20, and cause oilfrom tank 18 to be pumped through the burner nozzle, mixed with air, andignition to take place in the firebox of boiler 12. The products ofcombustion of the oil take the direction of the arrows through tubes 24into flue 30 past damper 28 and exhaust to the atmosphere.

The oil burner flame radiates heat to the bottom plate 22 of the boiler,and the products of combustion supply heat by connection to the tubes24, and to the front and rear tube sheets 26 to which the tubes areattached and to the unperforated portion of the tank bottom 14. Thisheat from the burner and products of combustion is transferred byconduction through the metal to the adjacent water in boiler and tank.

When the water temperature in the boiler has reached the set temperatureof aquastat switch 64, switch 64 will close and start pump 34, and whenvalve 40 is opened the suction created by the pump will draw hot waterfrom boiler and tank into the pump and recirculate it through spraypipes 42 into the tank. Oil burner unit 20 will continue to operateuntil the water temperature reaches the set temperature of aquastatswitch 68, at which temperature switch 68 will open and stop oil burnerunit 29.

When snow is loaded into the open top of the tank, a portion of the snowfalls into the trough 48 and the remaining portion comes into contactwith the angle members 44, is distributed over the tank and falls intothe hot water at the bottom of the tank and is sprayed with hot waterunder pump pressure from overhead spray pipes 42.

As the snow melts the water so formed causes the temperature of thewater entering the pump 34 to lower and when the water temperature fallsbelow the set temperature of aquastat switch 68, switch 68 will closeand start oil burner unit 29, and heat will be added to water in boilerand tank.

Similarly if the water temperature entering the pump falls below the settemperature of aquastat switch 64, switch 64 will open and stop pump 34,and when the water temperature has risen again above the set temperatureor" aquastat switch 64, switch 64- will close and start pump 34.

In such fashion, according to the set temperature difference betweenaquastat switches 64 and 68 automatic operation or pump 34 and oilburner unit 20 will be pro-- vided to so pump and heat water in tank 10and boiler 12 as to maintain the desired average temperature ofwaterentering the pump 34.

The water formed from melted snow will accumulate and cause the waterlevel in tank 10 to increase. This change in water level will be shownby the water level indicating pointer mounted on the external shaft endof float and lever operated switch 62, said switch being attached to theside of tank 16. When the indicated water level has risen a selecteddistance above the minimum water level controlled by switch 62, to anoperating water level, the water in excess of this level is disposed ofby opening regulating valve 47 and causing the pump 34 to discharge avolume of hot water equivalent to the volume in excess of the tankoperating level through discharge pipe 46 and to leave said pipe at itsopen end 59 under pressure and be discharged through suitable connectingpiping to a storm drain or sewer.

This operating level is maintained through successive melting periods byadjusting regulating valve 47 to control the flow of water from pump 34to discharge pipe 4-6.

This discharged water enters pipe 46 at water pump temperature andleaves pipe 46 at open end 50 at a reduced temperature because intraversing the length of pipe 46 to the trough 48, heat from the wateris transferred through the pipe metal to the snow collected in trough 48during successive snow loadings and melting takes place. The water soformed accumulates in trough 48, the Water level rises to the overflows49 and passes into tank 10. Since snow is melted in trough 48 by heatabstracted from the discharged water, there is a saving of heat and anincrease in operating economy.

It is to be noted that the melting of snow is accomplished in severalways; by contact with the hot discharge pipe 46 in trough 4-8, byfalling into hot water at the base of tank 10. By being sprayed with hotwater under pressure from overhead spray pipes 42, by contact with metalof tank, by contact with vapor rising from tank, and by the turbulenceof water at the base of tank.

For the purposes of clarity in the drawings, the cover for the top ofthe tank, boiler casing, insulation for bottom and side of trough, meansof draining trough, internal fire brick insulation in furnace, and theseveral electrical switching devices are not shown, although all areused.

While certain novel features of my invention have been shown anddescribed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will beunderstood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in theforms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent:

1. A mobile snow melting unit comprising a wheel supported frame, aboiler housing on said frame, including a hot-water boiler, asnow-receiving tank superposed over said boiler housing, the bottom ofsaid tank constituting the top of said boiler housing, a continuoussnow-receiving trough Within said tank extending at least the entireperimeter thereof, the bottom of said trough being vertically spacedabove the bottom of said tank, a plurality of parallel angle bars eachof inverted V-shape secured between a pair of opposed inside walls ofsaid trough, a water spray pipe positioned within each angle bar, aheater pipe within said trough, a drain pipe connected to said heaterpipe, openings in said tank bottom for the discharge of water directlyinto said boiler, overflow openings in the inside wall of said trough, apump, a conduit connecting the bottom of said boiler to the inlet ofsaid pump, a discharge conduit on said pump, and separate conduit meanseach including a control valve for connecting the discharge conduit tosaid spray pipes and to said heater pipe, whereby water heated by saidboiler will be pumped through said spray pipes to be discharged intosnow within said tank to melt the same, and at the same time, waterheated by said boiler will be pumped through said heater pipe to meltthe snow within said trough by heat transfer therewith, the waterpassing through said heater pipe being discharged through the drainpipe, the Water supplied to said boiler by the melted snow flowing fromthe trough over-flow openings into said tank and through the tank bottomopenings into said boiler, being in part re-circulated to said tank andin part pumped through said heater pipe, for ultimate discharge throughsaid drain pipe exteriorly of said snow melting unit.

2. The mobile snow melting unit of claim 1, wherein said boiler housingcomprises a combustion chamber, a discharge stack, a burner, and flueswithin said hot-water boiler in heat transfer relation with the watertherein and connecting said combustion chamber with said discharge stackfor passing the products of combustion of said burner into saiddischarge stack.

3. The mobile snow melting unit of claim 2, wherein said pump is motordriven and said burner comprises a motor-driven oil burner, and anelectric circuit connected to a source of electric supply and to themotors of said pump and burner for electrically operating the same; andswitch means in said circuit operative to open said circuit when thewater level in said tank falls below a selected minimum level to stopthe motors of said pump and burner.

4. The mobile snow melting unit of claim 3, wherein said electriccircuit includes a first thermostatically operated switch and a secondthermostatically operated switch, both operative within pro-selected lowand high temperature ranges of the hot water at the inlet of said pumpfor respectively starting and stopping the motors of said pump andburner.

5. The mobile snow melting unit of claim 4, wherein said electriccircuit includes an on-oif switch to open and close the same and a stackrelay switch for stopping the motor of said burner should ignition bedelayed beyond a safe time limit.

6. The mobile snow melting unit of claim 1, wherein said openings insaid tank bottom are of a shape and size to prevent the entry of debrisinto the boiler and further function to expose the boiler water to theatmosphere; and said trough overflow openings being located adjacent thetop edge of the trough inner wall, the heater pipe located in saidtrough being positioned substantially at the bottom thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNETED STATES PATENTS281,500 Hannan July 17, 1883 553,401 Von Garnier Jan. 21, 1896 1,160,205Smith Nov. 16, 1915 1,351,542 Ryan Aug. 31, 1920 1,821,292 Chase Sept.1, 1931 1,841,245 Hogen Jan. 12, 1932 2,104,363 Devlin Jan. 4, 19382,977,955 Altenbury Apr. 4, 1961

1. A MOBILE SNOW MELTING UNIT COMPRISING A WHEEL SUPPORTED FRAME, ABOILER HOUSING ON SAID FRAME, INCLUDING A HOT-WATER BOILER, ASNOW-RECEIVING TANK SUPERPOSED OVER SAID BOILER HOUSING, THE BOTTOM OFSAID TANK CONSTITUTING THE TOP OF SAID BOILER HOUSING, A CONTINUOUSSNOW-RECEIVING TROUGH WITHIN SAID TANK EXTENDING AT LEAST THE ENTIREPERIMETER THEREOF, THE BOTTOM OF SAID TROUGH BEING VERTICALLY SPACEDABOVE THE BOTTOM OF SAID TANK, A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL ANGLE BARS EACHOF INVERTED V-SHAPE SECURED BETWEEN A PAIR OF OPPOSED INSIDE WALLS OFSAID TROUGH, A WATER SPRAY PIPE POSITIONED WITHIN EACH ANGLE BAR, AHEATER PIPE WITHIN SAID TROUGH, A DRAIN PIPE CONNECTED TO SAID HEATERPIPE, OPENINGS IN SAID TANK BOTTOM FOR THE DISCHARGE OF WATER DIRECTLYINTO SAID BOILER, OVERFLOW OPENINGS IN THE INSIDE WALL OF SAID TROUGH, APUMP, A CONDUIT CONNECTING THE BOTTOM OF SAID BOILER TO THE INLET OFSAID PUMP, A DISCHARGE CONDUIT ON SAID PUMP, AND SEPARATE CONDUIT MEANSEACH INCLUDING A CONTROL VALVE FOR CONNECTING THE DISCHARGE CONDUIT TOSAID SPRAY PIPES AND